How Much Sitting Is Too Much Sitting?

Even if we regularly exercise, health experts are finding that prolonged sitting can negatively affect our health. Consider today – how much time will be spent sitting at the office, at school, in the car, or in front of a computer or tv. It’s no surprise that people who spend most of their days sitting are more likely to be fat, have a heart attack or even die.

According to Elin Ekblom-Bak, of the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, genes regulating the amount of glucose and fat in the body start to shut down after prolonged periods of sitting.

This Article

Americans spend more than half of their time sitting – from working at their desks to sitting in cars, according to U.S. Survey statistics. But, what are you supposed to do?
• If you’re in the office, interrupt your sitting as often as possible.
• Don’t just send an e-mail to a colleague because it’s easier to stay seated. Get up, go talk her.
• Walk to the copy or fax machine instead of sending someone else.
• Get up and go get a glass of water.

Keeping an exercise routine has many benefits. Tim Armstong, a physical activity expert at the World Health Organization, reports people who exercise every day but still spend most of their day sitting might get more benefit from it if it were spread across the day rather than in a single activity. This can be managed by walking during the day – not just to your car.
• Going from floor to floor? Take the stairs.
• Going for coffee? Get it yourself.
• Pizza for lunch? Forget delivery.

Get up from that computer. Stretch and move around frequently for many reasons related to both physical and mental health.

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.